Always be aware of school buses on the road
School bus drivers are doing their utmost to keep students safe. Remember to slow down when amber lights are flashing and prepare to stop. When red lights are flashing, motorists must make a full stop, no fewer than six metres (20 feet) from the bus.
It is illegal and dangerous to pass a bus when lights are flashing. I challenge each person who reads this article to speak to another two to three people about school bus safety. We need to create a culture of school bus safety; our students’ lives are at risk.
School entrance and exit walkways will be cleared as winter approaches. Many of these paths and doorways were not built for heavy traffic, and wet weather adds to increased safety precautions for students and staff. Masks help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Washing child’s masks regularly and packing an extra mask is helping everyone.
Home and Schools are encouraged to review the current revised operational plans with administrators.
A key determinant of student success is parental and community involvement in school decision-making at the local level. The Charting the
Way final report of the Education Governance Commission March 2012 provides 48 key recommendations, after extensive research and collaboration with stakeholders across P.E.I., which include the recommendation that “school districts be governed by elected boards of trustees.” Home and School Associations, Islandwide, passed a resolution in 2018 requesting a revision of the education act and return to elected school board. The current government has committed to returning to elected officials. Federation representatives met Oct. 27 with the government’s standing committee on education and economic growth to present on an elected school governance model.
Home and Schools may apply for a Parent Leadership Project grant up to $1,000. Topics are to educate school communities in areas that impact families (health and wellness, diversity, cultural awareness) and aid parents in helping children with math homework, literacy and more. Go to https://peihsf.ca/ grants. The submission deadline is Dec. 11. Contact the federation office for information and project tips.
It’s time to think ahead about celebrating school staff and volunteers in 2021. Parents, school staff and students may nominate deserving individuals for recognition by the P.E.I. Home and School Federation. Award programs include the Extra Mile Award,
Home and School volunteer of the year, Home and School life member, school bus drivers and school crossing guards. Submission deadlines apply with the Extra Mile Award, due Jan. 22. Go to https://peihsf.ca/awards to find all award details.
Anyone interested in signing up for the Healthy School Lunch Program can do so at peischoolfood.ca. An email will then be sent with a username and password. Participants log in at peischoolfood. ca and order meals for two weeks at a time. It is necessary to complete the order the Friday before each new cycle. For information, call 902438-4895 or email peischoolfood@edu.pe.ca (link sends email).
Thanks to the teachers, educational assistants, administrators, bus drivers, custodians and all educational staff for the great start to the 2020 school year. It has been one for the history books, and the additional work being done to make the school environment safe and ready for learning is certainly appreciated.
Heather Mullen, president of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation, lives in Lot 38, Canavoy, with her husband and two children, who attend Mount Stewart Consolidated School and Birchwood Intermediate School. Her column appears in The Guardian during the school year on the first Friday of the month. She welcomes comments from readers and information for the column. She can be reached at 902-620-3186